Saturday, May 3, 2014, I found myself in the back of a black Mercedes, cruising down the freeway as we headed for the Salt Lake City airport. Gilly and I were enjoying the ride, Youtube-ing songs and karaoking along with them between bites of jerky.
It was sunny and beautiful and we were in complete denial.
Because how are you supposed to fully digest the concept of your life changing forever in a matter of hours while belting out 90s jams?
YOU CAN'T.
So we sang and laughed and talked.
And then we got to the airport.
1. In the back of the car on our way to the airport. Stoked but still fairly unaware.
2. At the airport, grabbing something to eat.
3. & 4. Trying to coordinate an exuberant jump in front of the Eiffel Town poster and failing several times.
5. Goofing off with Nutella in the Delta Lounge.
6. A picture of the Delta Lounge. Small buffet of food and snacks and a full bar. So nice of them to not kick us out.
7. Some of THE FIRST to board our gigantic plane!
8. Our seats were a little separated though.
9. Not a bad view for the first part of the flight.
10. Watched Bridesmaids and ugly-laughed for a couple hours.
11. I really loved being able to check our progress on the screen! We were going so far away!
12. The packaging makes everything look so sterile but I was pleasantly surprised!
13. Reunited because a sweet lady was willing to switch me seats!
14. Landed, deplaning, and beginning to freak out!
15. Entering the Charles de Gaulle airport and freaking out!
16. Getting a grip and ready to rock!
Gilly was able to doze off for a little bit during our 9.5-hour flight, but I was, unfortunately, awake for the entire thing. We were traveling overnight and I really should've slept. And I did try! But my mind was whirring with excitement and thoughts of the city I have loved my entire life. And, if I'm honest, I didn't want to miss a thing - not even a second of my first international flight. So I eventually embraced what I knew to be true of myself and started watching Catching Fire.
As we began our descent into Paris, and the pilot began an announcement, all movies stopped. And that left me with 10 nervous-&-giddy minutes of being stuck in my seat (and in my own head) as we got ready to land.
This girl had arrived in the City of Lights.
